Daily Strike — Morning Edition

This briefing covers the period from 11:00 a.m. UTC on July 25 through midnight UTC on July 26. Below is what moved across the wire.

Top Stories

Zelenskyy: 30,000 More North Korean Troops Heading to Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced late July 25 that Russian forces are preparing to receive a fresh contingent of approximately 30,000 North Korean soldiers, according to The Korea Times and confirmed by Yonhap News Agency. If confirmed, the new wave would bring the total North Korean troop commitment toward 40,000 — a force of several combined-arms brigades. Zelenskyy called on allies to treat the deployment as an active escalation and accelerate weapons deliveries. The 조선일보 also reported Zelenskyy’s warning, citing additional briefings from Ukrainian intelligence.

Separately, the Wall Street Journal reported that Kim Jong Un has ordered a “radical” strengthening of North Korea’s military intelligence services. That directive, taken alongside the troop buildup, suggests Pyongyang is deepening its structural investment in the Russia-Ukraine theater rather than treating the deployment as a one-time transaction.

Holiday Camp Strike Kills at Least 11

At least 11 people were killed as Ukrainian and Russian strikes hit a holiday camp, according to Al Jazeera. Details on the camp’s location and which side was responsible for the specific strike killing civilians were still developing at the time of this briefing.

West Bank Violence, Gaza Strikes

AP News published documentation of fresh settler violence in the West Bank and additional strikes in Gaza. The visual reporting captures conditions on both fronts in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with no ceasefire framework currently in place.

Markets

No market data was provided in this cycle’s feed. Watch oil and gold benchmarks in early trading on July 26, particularly given the Hormuz activity from Thursday’s reporting and the continued pressure in the Russia-Ukraine theater.

Secondary Fronts

• Hormuz Strait: Iran’s IRGC claimed Thursday that it intercepted and turned back four vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz in what it characterized as unauthorized passage. Separately, the U.S. Navy reported disabling a tanker it accused of attempting to circumvent the interdiction regime. Full coverage in yesterday’s articles: IRGC claims four vessels | U.S. disables tanker.

• Houthi Operations: Houthi forces claimed responsibility for strikes against Saudi targets in Jizan and Hodeida as retaliation for continued Saudi pressure. Background: Houthi strike on Saudi Jizan.

• Taiwan Strait: Beijing’s military planners are reported to be developing expanded helicopter-borne assault scenarios for a Taiwan strait crossing, per reporting from Thursday. Coverage: Taiwan Strait helicopter war plans.

• Trump-Saudi Diplomacy: The Trump administration continued to push a framework linking Saudi normalization with Israel to a civilian nuclear cooperation deal. Details: Trump, Saudi Arabia, Abraham Accords nuclear deal.

• Nigeria/Sahel: Sheikh Gumi, a prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar, publicly questioned why no official in the Tinubu government had attempted direct peace talks with Boko Haram and Bandit groups, contrasting the current approach with the Jonathan and Osinbajo-era engagements with Niger Delta militants, according to Sahara Reporters.

What to Watch Tomorrow

1. North Korean movement confirmation. Watch for satellite imagery reports or intelligence assessments tracking rail and maritime transit corridors through Russia’s Far East. Confirmation of movement would validate Zelenskyy’s figures.

2. Hormuz tanker status. The vessel disabled by the U.S. Navy remains the most operationally active flashpoint in the Iran theater. Any escalation — seizure, crew developments, Iranian response — will move quickly.

3. Gaza ceasefire talks. Mediators in Doha and Cairo have not publicly indicated a new round of talks is scheduled. Watch for any statement from Qatar’s foreign ministry or Egyptian intelligence officials.

What We’re Tracking But Haven’t Published On

• The AI-nuclear energy integration story out of China’s WAIC conference in Shanghai raises questions about verification and safety that we have not yet fully developed for publication.
• Zelenskyy’s broader diplomatic strategy around the North Korea issue, including whether Seoul is being formally briefed through official channels — or relying on public statements.
• The scale and structure of Russian technology transfers to North Korea in exchange for troop deployments and munitions.

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— The America Strikes desk